Koffi Annan Centre holds capacity training for maritime law enforcement officers to boost security in GoG

Abiola Seun

The Nigerian Navy efforts to combat piracy by collaborating with international organisations have been yielding result through significant drops in the number of piracy and incidents of maritime crime in Nigeria and Gulf of Guinea (GoG).

Recall that in 2019, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) reported 162 incidents worldwide, a figure lower than the 180 and 201 incidents recorded in 2017 and 2018 respectively.

However, despite the significant improvements, the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) continue to experience an increasing number of maritime crimes in both international and territorial waters, making it one of the most dangerous shipping routes in the world.

However the piracy and maritime crime activities in the GoG pose significant threat to regional and international shipping business.

To this end; the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in conjunction with Denmark government organized a maritime Security training for key Nigerian maritime law enforcement agencies with a theme: “Developing maritime Security culture in the Gulf of Guinea.

The training, according to the organisers, which is meant to curb crimes and criminality on Nigerian waterways, was held in Lagos.

Speaking at the event, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command in Lagos, Rear Admiral Jason Gbassa, commended the organisers for their support to organize the training courses for the Nigerian Maritime Law Enforcement Agencies.

“It is my pleasure and honour to be in your midst this morning for this opening ceremony of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre on Developing Maritime Security Culture in the Gulf of Guinea”

“I am particularly delighted to welcome our distinguished participants from various Ministries, Department and agencies saddled with the responsibilities of curbing maritime crimes and administration of justice”

Gbasa, who was represented by the Chief Staff Officer of Western Naval Command, said this course builds on the series of trainings that are focused on the development of critical skills and knowledge as well as capacities to counter prevalent maritime criminalities that have plague the Gulf of Guinea and by extension, the Nigeria’s Maritime Environment.

“As we are all aware, the Nigeria’s Maritime Domain with enormous resources and potentials remains strategic to our national security and development”

“ We are also conscious that harnessing the enormous potentials of our maritime domain has been persistently challenged by a myriad of threats that have impinged on the nation’s economic well being and national security” he said.